Adult Dependent Relative Visa: Complete UK Guide for 2025

Are you caring for an elderly parent or disabled family member who needs to join you in the UK? The Adult Dependent Relative visa might be the solution your family has been searching for. This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about bringing your loved ones to the UK when they can’t manage independently.

What is an Adult Dependent Relative Visa?

An Adult Dependent Relative visa allows British citizens and UK residents to bring family members who need long-term care to live with them permanently. Unlike other family visas, this route recognises that some relatives simply cannot receive adequate care in their home country, regardless of financial support.

The visa falls under the UK’s family immigration system and can lead to immediate settlement for qualifying applicants. However, it’s one of the most challenging visa categories to secure, with strict requirements designed to ensure only genuine cases succeed.

Who can apply?

• Parents (aged 18 or over)
• Grandparents
• Adult siblings (18+)
• Adult children (18+)

The key requirement is proving that your relative needs personal care that cannot reasonably be provided in their current country, even with financial help.

Understanding the Eligibility Requirements

Dependency Requirements Explained

Your relative must demonstrate they need long-term personal care due to:

• Age-related conditions (mobility issues, memory problems)
• Chronic illness (diabetes complications, heart conditions)
• Disability (physical or mental impairments affecting daily living)

Physical dependency means they struggle with basic tasks like washing, dressing, cooking, or moving around safely. Medical evidence from qualified professionals is essential here.

Financial dependency shows they rely on you for money and cannot afford adequate care in their home country, even with your continued financial support from the UK.

The Care Availability Test

This is where many applications fail. The Home Office will investigate whether suitable care exists in your relative’s current location, considering:

• Family members who could provide care
• Professional carers, nurses, or housekeepers
• Care homes or nursing facilities
• Local authority support services

Sponsor Requirements

As the UK sponsor, you must be:

• A British or Irish citizen, OR
• Settled in the UK (holding indefinite leave), OR
• A refugee with protected status, OR
• An EU national with settled status

Step-by-Step Application Process

Before You Start

• Gather medical evidence – Independent reports from doctors confirming care needs
• Research local care options – Document why suitable care isn’t available locally
• Collect relationship proof – Birth certificates, marriage certificates, adoption papers
• Prepare financial documentation – Pay slips, bank statements, tax returns

The Application Journey

Step 1: Online Application Complete the application through the official UKVI website. Take time with this – errors cause delays.

Step 2: Supporting Documents Upload comprehensive evidence including:

• Medical reports detailing care requirements
• Proof of relationship to sponsor
• Evidence that care cannot be provided locally
• Financial documentation showing adequate support
• Sponsor’s signed undertaking

Step 3: Biometric Appointment
Your relative will attend a visa application centre for fingerprints and photographs.

Step 4: Decision Waiting Applications from outside the UK typically take 12 weeks, while UK applications take around 8 weeks.

Current Costs and Fees (2025)

The healthcare surcharge provides full NHS access, making it excellent value for families needing ongoing medical care.

What Happens After Approval?

Rights and Privileges

Your relative can:

• Live permanently in the UK (often with immediate settlement)
• Work without restrictions in any job or profession
• Access NHS services through the healthcare surcharge
• Study at any educational institution
• Apply for British citizenship after meeting residency requirements

Important Restrictions

They cannot:

• Claim public funds (benefits, housing assistance, tax credits)
• Sponsor other family members until they become British citizens
• Travel extensively without affecting settlement applications

Path to British Citizenship

If granted settlement immediately, your relative can apply for citizenship after:

• 12 months holding indefinite leave to remain
• Passing the Life in the UK test
• Meeting English language requirements
• Demonstrating good character

Common Reasons for Refusal

Understanding why applications fail helps you avoid these pitfalls:

1. Insufficient Medical Evidence Generic statements like “needs help with daily tasks” won’t suffice. You need detailed medical reports from qualified professionals explaining specific care requirements.

2. Available Local Care Even expensive care options in the home country can lead to refusal if they’re theoretically available. You must prove care is genuinely inaccessible or inadequate.

3. Family Support Available If other family members could reasonably provide care, applications often fail. Document why other relatives cannot help.

4. Financial Inadequacy Failing the income calculation is common. Include all income sources and ensure calculations are accurate.

What If Your Application is Refused?

Don’t despair – refusal doesn’t mean the end. Options include:

Administrative Review Challenge factual errors in the decision within 28 days. 

Appeal to Tribunal If human rights are involved, you might have appeal rights. This is complex territory requiring legal guidance.

Fresh Application Address the refusal reasons and reapply with stronger evidence. Sometimes a different approach or additional medical evidence can succeed.

Article 8 Considerations Even if standard requirements aren’t met, exceptional circumstances involving family life rights might apply.

Top Tips for Success

1. Start Early

Begin gathering evidence months before applying. Medical appointments and official documents take time to obtain.

2. Be Thorough with Medical Evidence

Multiple medical opinions strengthen your case. Include specialists, GPs, and care assessors where relevant.

3. Document Everything

Keep records of care research in the home country. Screenshot care home prices, document family circumstances, and maintain correspondence about care arrangements.

4. Consider Professional Help

This visa category has low success rates without proper legal guidance. Consider getting professional assistance, especially for complex cases.

5. Plan for the Long Term

Think about your relative’s needs over the next five years. Will their condition worsen? How will you manage care requirements?

Special Considerations for Different Relationships

Bringing Parents or Grandparents

This is the most common ADR application type. Focus on age-related care needs and the absence of other children who could provide care.

Adult Siblings

More challenging to prove dependency. Usually requires significant disability or mental health conditions preventing independent living.

Adult Children

Rare but possible for children with lifelong disabilities who’ve always been dependent on parents.

Couple Applications

If one parent qualifies, their spouse can often join them regardless of their own health status a rule reinstated in 2023.

Getting Professional Legal Help

Adult Dependent Relative applications require careful preparation and strong legal arguments. The success rate is low, but experienced immigration lawyers can significantly improve your chances by:

• Conducting thorough case assessments
• Gathering compelling medical evidence
• Addressing potential refusal reasons proactively
• Presenting persuasive legal arguments

Ready to start your Adult Dependent Relative visa application?

Don’t leave your family’s future to chance. Our experienced immigration team at Deluxe Law Chambers has helped hundreds of families successfully bring their loved ones to the UK. We understand the complexities of ADR applications and know how to build winning cases.

Get your free consultation today Call us on 0161 464 4140 or  Book your appointment online

Your family deserves to be together. Let us help make that happen with expert legal guidance tailored to your unique circumstances.

Why Choose Deluxe Law Chambers ?

Deluxe Law Chambers offers expert, affordable, and reliable immigration support with tailored services, quick visa options, online or in-person advice, and free initial consultation available seven days a week.

• Expert Immigration Solicitors – With years of experience, we stay up to date with the latest UK immigration laws to give you the best legal advice.
• Five Star Google Reviews –  Rated 5 Star Google Reviews by 99% of our satisfied clients, reflecting our commitment to trusted, high-quality, and client focused immigration services.
• Personalised Service – Every case is unique. We offer tailored solutions based on your individual circumstances.
• Fast & Reliable Visa Services – Need a quick decision? We offer Priority and Super Priority visa services for faster processing.
• Remote Legal Support – Our solicitors can handle your case online, saving you time and travel costs.
• In person Support – You can also visit our Manchester office or London Office for in-person advice.
• Open 7 Days a Week – We provide expert immigration advice every day, including weekends.
• Free Immigration Advice – Get a 5-minute free phone consultation.
• Fixed Fees with Instalments – No hidden costs! We offer affordable fixed fees, with the option to pay in two instalments.

Frequently Asked Questions